Newark’s Smith, Northridge’s Fister clinch first OHSAA wrestling medal

COLUMBUS — Jibreel Smith stood up and let out a roar. The Newark senior had reached his destination at the end of a long journey since putting on the Wildcats’ singlet dating to his biddy days.

Smith secured All-Ohio Division I status at 126 pounds Saturday with a pin of Walsh Jesuit’s Jonathan Campbell. He was scheduled to wrestle for seventh place on Sunday morning during the final day of the state championships at Ohio State.

“Oh my God, words don’t give it justice,” Smith said. “Just all of that hard work every single day has been paying off for this moment. It feels absolutely outstanding.”

Smith rebounded from a first-round loss to win twice convincingly by pin. He fell 9-3 to Stow-Munroe Falls’ Robert Davis later Saturday.

Smith reached the state tournament last year but went 0-2. He had unfinished business that culminated in an emotional scene with coach Geoff Moore.

“It feels great knowing that not only me wanted it,” Smith said. “My teammates that were watching me, my coaches that wanted me to win, they wanted me to better myself. That makes me feel outstanding.”

Northridge senior Michael Fister also is a first-time placer in his second and final opportunity.

Fister was scheduled to wrestle for seventh at 138 pounds in Division III. A 9-6 victory against Waynesville’s Mark Ellis secured his All-Ohio honors.

“I have been wanting this since I started (in seventh grade),” Fister said. “I am so happy. I never thought I would be here. It’s amazing.”